The space race just stinks anymore

I was watching one of my favorite movies recently.  “Apollo 13” which stars Tom Hanks about the mission to the moon for a 3rd time but instead ended up being a get the crew home safe mission.  It’s one of my all-time favorite films.

Watching it got me to thinking, whatever happened to the space race and exploring new territories? It just sucks now-a-days.  Yes, they’ll send probes up there and people up there to do tests and fix things, but it’s just not the same as it was when we went to the moon.  That was an important event in American and human history.  Kennedy pushed us to go to the moon before the 1960s were out – not because it was easy but because it was hard, and sure enough we got there!  so much left in that mass universe to explore yet ever since than, nothing has been of major importance in space exploration.

I’m all for more space exploration!  I would love to go to mars and to the further ends of the universe.

Paul McCartney’s voice sure fits the Great American Songbook

I recently had a chance to listen to Paul McCartney’s new CD “Kisses On The Bottom.”  For those of you that don’t know, it’s the first CD he ever recorded of songs from the Great American Songbook (songs from the 30s-50s usually recorded by Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, etc.  and written by the likes of George Gershwin, Cole porter, etc.). 

In my opinion, it is probably the best album he put out in the last 10 years.  it has 14 tracks, and 2 are originals.  The originals are written in the style of the Great American Songbook.  Of the 2 originals, “My Valentine” is the best, in fact I think it’s the best recording on the whole album.  Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and Diana Krall are also featured on this album.  Great Great album!!  definitely worth the buy. “The Glory of Love” is my most favorite non-original recording.

Sometimes over the last 10 years you can tell in his voice that he’s getting older, I definitely don’t sense it on this record.  Hopefully he will do more albums like this.  Several artists have put out Great American Songbook records in the last decade, I never cared too much for Rod Stewart’s though maybe it’s because I’m not a big Rod Stewart fan? I don’t know.  I have a  copy of Brian Wilson’s “Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin” which was released a year ago.  That’s a great album also.    I can definitely see Paul McCartney putting out another such album.  His voice is perfect for the genre.

Where to go if you want to read articles on my old blog

I can’t say I had a “real” official blog before I created this one earlier this month because I never had the desire to have a blog before, however when I used to use MySpace constantly I used to have a blog there, but it wasn’t what I would call an “official” blog.  I thought about posting some of the stuff on there on here, but I thought since it was all old news and nothing really current that there’d be no point in it.  But if you want to read any of those articles it’s located at http://www.myspace.com/mikeirvan67/blog

54th Annual Grammy Awards Review

A couple of the performances I was anxious to see were good performances but weren't great performances but overall I thought the show was pretty good, and I thought what they did at the end was pretty cool - and also different and unexpected for the Grammys. Normally they close out with the last award and roll credits but instead they close out with Paul McCartney and his band doing golden slumbers/carry that weight/you never give me your money/the end. One medley popularized from the Abbey Road album by the Beatles that he does a lot during his live shows. One type of performance I've always enjoyed is when during a concert of various artists you have the variety of artists get onstage to play, that I always thought was very cool - and they did it at the Grammys for the first time (that I’m aware of at least) when Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, and Joe Walsh got onstage to close out "The end" very very cool.

I thought the beach boys tribute could have been done better but it still was pretty amazing and really amazing to see Brian Wilson play with the Beach Boys again. And the Glen Campbell tribute could have been better but also still was amazing. I was expecting him to come onstage with a 100% sequined jacket like you normally see him in when he does “Rhinestone Cowboy”, but instead he wears a shirt with a few sequins lol. And I wander if towards the end where he seemed a little lost if he was pretending or not.

Paul McCartney’s first performance was interesting and I never thought he would ever team up with Joe Walsh. That's an interesting pair-up, and Joe Walsh is one of my all-time favorite guitarists. Paul does look much more tired than he did a few years ago, in my opinion.

Jennifer Hudson's Whitney Houston tribute was really amazing, especially after I heard that she broke down numerous times during rehearsals she did remarkably well on it.

The dance tribute to Don Cornelius was interesting but I guess I don't understand deadmau5, lol. The mouse head is an interesting gimmick - but I thought that guy would dance around or something but instead just basically stood there but the Chris Brown and Foo Fighters part of the performance was pretty cool.

Bruno Mars - I don't know much about his music but this year and last year at the Grammys he has performed songs that are very 60s/70s soulful like which I think is great!! And this year he did a James Brown type move which was really cool. I am not sure what his musical background is, but if he's bringing back 60s/70s style soul that is amazing!!!! We need more artists like that!!

Bruce Springsteen - great great song! Very very inspirational. Great performance too. “We Take Care Of Our Own” is probably one of the best songs he’s put out in years and should be considered a modern anthem for America and it’s hard economic times right now.

After seeing the Grammys this year there are 3 albums I will definitely have to buy: Adele's "21" - I don't buy very many modern pop albums anymore but that one I think would definitely be worth it; Bruce Springsteen's new album - not sure what it's called or when it'll be out yet, but I'll definitely be looking for it; and Paul McCartney's new album that he made in tribute to the American standards era of music. Can't remember the name of it, but I'll be looking for it. It's about time he paid homage to songs by George Gershwin, etc..

Taylor Swift “Mean” speculation

There has been a lot of speculation since her performance at this year’s Grammy awards as to what she sang towards the end of her song “Mean”.  I work in Branson, Missouri and someone who writes for the local free paper there even thinks she sang “Branson.” – This someone who writes for that paper I also don’t think is the brightest either.  Some of his articles I have noticed he’ll give song titles the wrong titles, etc. If he was very bright he would know you could look up just about anything on the internet, including song lyrics and he posted about Taylor Swift’s song in his column thinking she actually sang “Branson” when she did not.  It sounds like it, but if you do your homework you will find out she didn’t. So this writer’s column goes on to defend some Branson stars and celebrities. 

I’m not a big fan of most of the shows in Branson.  Yes, some people in Branson are legends in there own right (Mickey Gilley, Andy Williams, Oak Ridge Boys, etc.), and there are some that are great performers and truly and honestly care and there are some others who are just wannabes and jerks and are downright rude at places they go to, and in my opinion can be considered legends in their own minds and I wouldn’t even let my dog go see them.  Yes, they are a lot of talented individuals I do agree – however they let there talents go to their heads and think they are some sort of God because of their talents.

If this writer would have researched the song lyrics to “Mean” on the internet, he would have found out that the actual lyric is “Washed Up And Ranting” and not “Washed Up In Branson”.  The night of the Grammy performance, there was talk about this speculation on the KY3 website and facebook page also. 

I’m not a fan of Taylor Swift’s, I do like her songs but won’t rush out to buy her albums.  However, I do feel people need to get there facts straight before they write a complete article about something, especially if they are a daily columnist.  If you don’t do your own homework you will make yourself look very ignorant.

I have also included the lyrics I have found on the internet (and seeing them on 3 other sites have confirmed the actual lyric) and the referred video in this article for you to decide for yourself what she really said.

“MEAN” by Taylor Swift (lyrics found on elyrics.net)

You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again got me feeling like I'm nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard, calling me out when I'm wounded
You, pickin' on the weaker man

Well, you can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know what you don't know

Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

You, with your switching sides and your walk-by lies and your humiliation
You, have pointed out my flaws again as if I don't already see them
I'll walk with my head down trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again

I'll bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now 'cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know what you don't know

Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

And I can see you years from now in a bar, talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion but nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing

But all you are is mean
All you are is mean and a liar and pathetic and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean

But someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean, yeah
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

Someday, I'll be, living in a big old city
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

The greatest performance of our National Anthem ever recorded

In 1991 Whitney Houston performed The Star Spangled Banner for Superbowl XXV.  Enjoy her performance of it!  The greatest performance of it I have ever heard!

I Will Always Love You

In remembrance of Whitney Houston’s life, I have been playing her songs for the last couple of hours.  “I Will Always Love You” recently played, and listening to that song now, it can be interpreted a completely different way.  It’s about saying goodbye to someone you love.  Now it can be interpreted to say goodbye to her fans.

Dolly Parton written it in 1973, but Whitney made it so much better.  according to Wikipedia, Whitney was originally supposed to record “What Becomes of The Broken Hearted” originally by Jimmy Ruffin for the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard” but the song was already featured in “Fried Green Tomatoes.” Thank God for “Fried Green Tomatoes” lol.  I don’t think the soundtrack for “The Bodyguard” would be a smash if it weren’t for “I Will Always Love You”

“I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU” written by Dolly Parton

If I should stay,
I would only be in your way.
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you ev'ry step of the way.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You, my darling you. Hmm.

Bittersweet memories
that is all I'm taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please, don't cry.
We both know I'm not what you, you need.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.

(Instrumental solo)
 
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of.
And I wish to you, joy and happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I, I will always love you.

You, darling, I love you.
Ooh, I'll always, I'll always love you.

Whitney Houston: 08/09/1963–02/11/2012 RIP

On my way home I heard the sad and shocking news, and with me being an amateur musicologist it has affected me a little bit also even though I wasn’t a big fan of hers, I always have enjoyed her songs.  She had a very amazing voice.  I was 12 when I first heard her records.  “I Will Always Love You” was the first song of hers I remember ever hearing, and after listening to songs from soundtrack to “The Bodyguard” I just had to have it, so at the age of 12 I had the soundtrack on cassette.  That song being my most favorite one on the album.  I heard Dolly Parton’s original some years later, but still liked Whitney’s version much better.

I also loved her hit from 1991 “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and her rendition for the Super Bowl one year of our national anthem.  I also loved “One Moment In Time” – a song she did during the Olympics back in the 1980s.  Another tragedy in the music industry, she will greatly be missed.

Whitney, we will always love you.

No To Mitt Romney

I’m a conservative, and he claims to be one too but after a 28 minute video I watched about him a couple weeks ago I have came to the conclusion that I honestly think he is the Anti-Christ prophesied in the book of revelation.  We all think Obama is bad?  Romney’s a lot worse!  This guy took a lot of jobs from the people that had jobs with companies that Bain Capital had bought, and than sold the companies to places overseas and such causing a lot of people to lose their jobs!  If this yahoo becomes the next president there will be no more jobs.  We’ll all be homeless and fighting in the streets. That is also prophesied.  I know to some I may just seem paranoid, but I’m just trying to be prepared because I do believe in God and I am a strong believer that the end is near.

I know a lot of you are against Newt Gingrich because of his immoralities, but hey – nobody’s perfect.  You have to look at how the guy might be as a leader.  And in all the debates, he’s had some pretty good answers and he sure does know how to tell the scum-sucking journalists where to stick it!

Oh, and one other thing while we’re on the topic of being conservative (and I’m sure I’ll probably bring it up other times also on this blog) – I got in an argument that went back and forth for 3 days with someone online before I decided to just bite my tongue, and listening to a lot of Andrew Wilkow on Sirius XM has confirmed that if you’re libertarian or conservative you get accused of being racist and child haters, etc.  Excuse me???  I’m racist because I refuse to learn Spanish and refuse to cater to hispanics in the United States of America??  I’m a child hater because I feel these lazy people on welfare and food stamps who are capable of working can’t get off there lazy butts?? I don’t want to see America's children starve either but it don’t mean we give the government the right to enable the parents to be this way. it’s called take the kid away from the parent!! it’s called set stricter guidelines for welfare! if a person applies for it, fine but they’re cut off after so long.  And since when is not being able to speak English A DISABILITY???  I ought to go to Mexico and say “no habla espanol me want your disability check” lol.  oh, I guess that makes me racist talking like this.  yea, if that makes me so racist than how come I have no problem with them as a whole and no problem with them being here as long as they learn the culture and the language? racists don’t like them period.  get a clue!!  seem like the liberals and democrats are very very very confused!! lol.  ok, stepping off my soap box for now lol.  goodnight, everybody!

Google AdSense

I actually think Google AdSense is a great idea, that’s why I use it.  How it works is you allow Google to show ads on your website or blog and every time some one clicks on the ad, you get paid.  the catch is that it tracks IP addresses so I couldn’t just click on the ads constantly on my blog unfortunately, lol. 

A couple years ago I had it on my personal website I used to have.  I got rid of that website a couple years ago because I was paying $100 a year to have the domain and have it hosted and no one was visiting and what was the purpose of having a website when what I was trying to accomplish with it I was able to accomplish with many of the free social network services that were starting to spring up all over online a couple of years ago? So I got rid of it and joined MySpace, Facebook and Twitter lol.  Didn’t see any real purpose of AdSense since than.  I didn’t even realize I was still subscribed to it until I created my blog last weekend, lol.  Great!!  Now this poor, middle class worker trying to make a name for himself could make a little bit extra money again with it, lol.  In fact, I think my AdSense ads are on the right side of the screen and possibly somewhere below this article, lol.

Just found out about “Windows Live Writer”

Hello, everybody.  I created my blog just a few days ago and have been trying to search for a program the last couple of days that allows me to post to it without even having to login to blogger.  Through my search, I found a program that was already installed on my computer called “Windows Live Writer.”  Apparently it’s automatically installed with windows 7, but if you don’t have it and you need a great free blog creation tool, just download “windows live essentials” on live.com.

I decided to create a blog a few days ago because I decided I wanted more of an online presence, and more of a way to try to connect with those I share common interests and beliefs and interests in, so I felt a blog was the best way.

I spent the last couple of hours fiddling with the features of blogger and tweaking the look of my blog until I got it looking like I wanted it.  I saw some cool ways my blog could look, but I decided to go with the much more simple approach.  I have learned as an amateur web designer that no matter how cool it might look, doesn’t make it great on the eyes when trying to read it, and even some of the simple dynamic looks blogger offered, still looked a bit cluttered.  I decided this simple approach looked much better, lol.  there was even a feature where I can post a picture behind the title, I thought hey, that could be cool.  after seeing that I said “nope.” – scrapped it, lol.

In the beginning, I wasn’t even sure what I was going to call it.  I originally called it “mike’s libertarian musings” – but than thought “no, I’m not just going to talk about libertarianism on here.” So I called it “Mike’s Daily Musings.” Yesterday I decided I didn’t like that title.  I needed to be more creative than that.  So I thought, “Why not give it a name like a newspaper?” lol.  So there you have it, folks: “The Daily Mikeirvan.”  Kind of catchy, I think. Lol.   

I even figured out how to get my blog posts to automatically be shown on twitter and facebook since for some reason blogger don’t do that like youtube does. Hopefully now I’ll get even more visitors here, lol. 

Through this I’ll probably share some of my videos I have on youtube also that I think everyone might enjoy like my anti-sopa video or my bob dylan parody “singing through my nose.” lol. 

Superbowl XLVI Halftime Show Performance

I recently was able to finally watch Madonna's halftime show performance from this year's superbowl.  I can't say i'm a big fan of Madonna's.  I never cared for her live, but I do love her songs.

I, for the most part thought the halftime show was pretty neat this year. LMFAO's cameo was pretty good and the gymnastic guys did there part very well. They must have rehearsed/practiced for quite a while to get there parts down well and keep them on those wires as well as they did - especially the one who had to sit on the wire a certain way and hold himslef up for a period of time like he did. And the end where she disappeared and the words 'world peace' appear was really cool.

 

I'm not a big fan of hers to see her live but I do love her songs. And I did enjoy the halftime show performance this year. I usually enjoy that every year. Always lots of neat surprises plus sometimes the outfits and sets look cool - one of the guys in the black eyed peas last year had his suit lit up and than they had slash on last year. That was very cool.

 

I think what would make a great superbowl halftime show, and it would be very different than what they did in the last 20 some-odd years (seem like for 20 or 30 years now they try to find different artists who are popular to play the halftime show, but in the beginning they had a variety of performers including school bands I heard) - what would make a great halftime show and would be different is this: last season on America's Got Talent there was a dance group, I wish I could remember the name of the group, but they had lights on there costumes that lit up as they danced to songs. Very very cool, and in the dark it looks very neat. That I think would make a great halftime show performance I think. Or even the other dance group they had on that show - the silhouettes. Sillhouettes were very inspirationational, and during these hard economic times in America, we need to see more inspirational acts on TV. They'd make a great halftime show performance also.

The Best Superbowl XLVI ADs, IMO

These are the best Superbowl ads during this year's superbowl, in my opinion.  There was a lot of great ones I thought during this year's super bowl but I'd be here all day posting every single one I liked so here's the best ones I think!

It seems the advertising agencies get their most creative during the superbowl. lol.  Enjoy!

This ad is for the Kia Optima.  very great commercial and it stars a famous rock band!!

This ad is for M&Ms. and the female M&M thinks the guys in the ad are rude for snickering because they think she's naked when she's really not.  very funny!  lol.

Jerry Seinfeld wants the first new model Acura NSX to roll off the line, unfortunately he's #2, so he does what he can to "pay off" the guy who's first in line.  very funny cameo towards the end.  enjoy!

I really enjoyed this ad.  It was very funny and also very cute.  This baby's brother is teasing him because the older brother don't want to give him or grandma any doritos.  so grandma slingshots him to the big brother to steal the doritos, very cute.  lol.

 This ad is for Chrysler and stars Clint Eastwood (one of my favorite actors of all-time, btw).  It's somewhat patriotic which makes it great.  basically saying lets bring the car manufacturing back to america.  Great inspirational ad during hard economic times.

This ad is for the Honda CR-V starring Matthew Broderick.  When i first saw it, I didn't see the title of the ad but picked up the references right away, lol.  it's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" - lol. the whole movie parodied into a 1 minute and 10 second spot starring the star from the actual film.  very funny!

A guy drives in an apocolyptic world in his chevy truck.  when he sees his friends he gets out and asks where there other buddy is at, the other buddy didn't make it because he drove a ford.  And only during the superbowl will see an ad with another product featured in it - want a twinkie? lmao.

 This ad is for Bud Light.  A guy gets a "rescue dog" (a dog that is rescued from animal cruelty).  the dog's name is "Weego" - and the dog is trained to deliver bud light to people when he hears his name. so what do you think will happen when some one says "here we go" or "and here we go" not realizing he hears them say it?  lmao.  very funny and very cute.  enjoy!  lol.

This one is for the new Chevy Sonic.  Very cool stunts in this ad.  My favorite part is towards the end you see the chevy logo underneath the car.  very neat!

This ad is very funny for the new Audi.  A vampire is on his way to a vampire party and his headlights are so bright that they imitate daylight, and, well, we all know that vampires and daylight just don't mix.  lmao.

Sir Elton John is a king in this pepsi spot and he won't allow just anybody to have a pepsi.  Very funny and the funniest part is the cameo at the very end, lol.  Hilarious!!

This one's for coke featuring the famous Coca-Cola bear mascot.  His buddies throw him a coke and he does what he can to catch it, and he's in the north pole so of course he'll probably slip on some ice to catch it.  lol.  very cute.


I hope you enjoyed these ads as much as I have.  There were 50 I downloaded.  38 minutes worth.  There were probably more than that, but 50 were only shown on the website I downloaded them from.  Of that 50, these I thought were the greatest ones.

Superbowl Sunday

For those of you that has the priviledge to know me, you would know I'm not much into sports at all.  You know me as one to make fun of sports for the most part, lol.  However, I will watch the superbowl and I do enjoy it but I mainly watch it for the halftime show and the commercials.  I spent the last 30 minutes or so downloading the commercials from this year and I can't wait to watch them.  I will probably share my favorite ones on here, twitter, and Facebook, so be on the lookout, lol.

My alltime favorite superbowl commercial has got to be one from a few years ago for budlight.  this couple drives by this hitch-hiker with an ax. the man wants to pick him up, the woman don't though, lol. "no, don't stop!" "but he's got bud-light!" "but he's got an axe!!" - lol.  too too funny!  lmao.

first blog

Hello.  I'm 32 and I'm new to the blogging scene. I don't know very much about the blogging scene, so I really don't know where to start on typing this.  I don't even know for sure what to call my blog.  I began to call it "mike's Libertarian musings" but I doubt I'd be posting my politcal views all the time, lol. 

I am libertarian.  I beleive in as little government as possible.  I believe that we have the God given right to eat what we want and live how we want and that government needs to stay out of our business.  The progressive movement is a joke, and I am a firm believer that if you're able to work than you need to get off your lazy ass and get to work.  I shouldn't have to pay for you to sit on your lazy ass if you can work!  I'm ok with some taxes but most taxes we need to have abolished!  Income taxes is definitely a joke.